Photographic print cutter

ABSTRACT

A cutter conversion unit for use in a high speed system for severing individual photographic prints from a continuous strip of such prints, permitting conversion of an existing system from one which cuts conventional bordered style prints to one which punches out a chaff strip shaped to create a borderless and round-cornered print. The conversion unit, adapted to be actuated by an existing reciprocating link, comprises an oscillating &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;I&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;-shaped punch which automatically strokes along an arcuate path in response to a signal from a sensing system when the strip is properly positioned and clamped beneath the punch.

United States Patent [191 Greer June '4, 1974 PHOTOGRAPHIC PRINT CUTTER 3,589.227 6/1971 Simpkins 83/602 x $668,959 6 1972 R' h l. 83 4 [75] Inventor: Jimmy E. Greer, South Lyon, MlCl'l. 1c M et a l 8 [73] Assignee: Guardian Industries Corporation, primary h,- Yost Northville, Mich. 22 Filed: June 20, 1973 [57] ABSTRACT A cutter conversion unit for use in a high speed sys- [21] Appl' 37]639 tem for severing individual photographic prints from a continuous strip of such prints, permitting conversion [52] US. Cl 83/211, 83/210, 83/282, of an existing system from one which uts co 83/367, 83/371. 83/449, 83/453, 83/ tional bordered style prints to one which punches out 8 83/694 a chaff strip shaped to create a borderless and round- [51 Int. Cl 826d 1/38 cornered print. The conversion unit, adapted to be acl l Field of Search 83/21 mated by anexisting reciprocating link, comprises an 3 oscillating l"-shaped punch which automatically 61 42 strokes along an arcuate path in response to a signal from a sensing system when the strip is properly posi- [56] References Cited tioned and clamped beneath the punch.

UNITED STATES PATENTS 4 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures 2,768,673 l0/l956 Gaubert et al 83/605 X 2.860.703

11/1958 O'Donnell 83/605 X 1 PHOTOGRAPIIIC PRINT CUTTER BACKGROUND OF INVENTION In the field of commercial development of conventional rolls of snapshot type photographs, there is commonly used high speed print-cutting units which automatically sever the individual developed prints from a continuous roll of such prints. Commonly, as many as three hundred individual rolls of undeveloped film are spliced together prior to development, and the images are exposed onto a corresponding continuous roll of photosensitive paper.

At the time of exposure, an ink mark or punched hole is commonly placed along one edge of the photosensitive paper at intervals corresponding to the borderline between adjacent prints. After subsequent development of the roll of photosensitive paper, the developed roll is loaded into a cutting machine and is automatically incrementally fed to the cutter, where the individual prints are severed, stacked and loaded into the mailing envelope. The cutter unit conventionally has a photosensitive or other type of sensing device positioned to sense the presence of the ink mark or punched hole in order to properly time the stroke of the cutter relative to the position of the border line between adjacent prints.

Such a system is disclosed, for example, in the commonly assigned US. Pat. application of Peter P. Zajac, Ser. No. 318,362, filed Dec. 26, 1972 and entitled Method and Apparatus for Marking Photographic Print Strips.

Problems have arisen in adapting or converting existing cutter units to the new borderless style printing. Previously available punch units for forming borderless prints were of the guillotine type. These prior adapters or conversion units required a relatively long strokeof the punch to develop adequate force. That factor, plus the dimensions of the adapter itself required a longer actuating link and a larger cam on the motor which actuated the punch. These requirements resulted in a configuration having increased longitudinal length measured in the direction of travel of the print roll through the cutter. It became necessary to relocate the end of order sensor. This sensor detects a print mark or punched hole on the opposite side of the print roll from the previously described border line sensor. The

end of order hole indicates the point at which one roll or order has been spliced to the next order. This sensor then tells the machine to dump out a stack of sliced prints into a .waiting mailing envelope and assures that each complete roll is packaged together, without any of the prints being intermingled with those of another order.

With the dimensional requirements of the prior art borderless print adapter units, the required relocation of the end of order sensor slightly farther from the line of action of the punch resulted in one whole uncut print adapters be used, since only then would the last print of the order end up in its proper order rather than the next order.

Accordingly, it is the primary object of this invention to provide an improved adapter which permits existing conventional cutters or slicers used for bordered prints to be converted to a borderless style, without the necessity of adding a time delay circuit or otherwise modifying existing actuators for the punching operation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a simplified side view of the print-cutting unit of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged detailed side view of the cutting portion of the punch of this invention.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the structure of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a strip of developed prints, showing the lead print, of borderless style, after severance from the strip, and showing the piece of chaff which has been removed in the punching process.

FIG. 5 is a fragmented perspective view of the leading edge of the punch of this invention.

7 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring to FIG. 1 of the drawings, the side edge of a strip of developed prints 10 is visible as it feeds from left to right through feed mechanism 12, cut sensor 14 and to the cutter l6.

Feed mechanism 12, which is conventional and forms no part of the present invention, comprises a lower drive roller 18 rotatably driven by motor 20. Print strip 10 passes between the power driven lower roller 18 and an upper idler roller 22 which is rotatably mounted on a rocker arm 24 which pivots about point 26. The righthand end of rocker arm 24 has a break pad 28 which is effective to selectively brake or clamp print strip 10 by pressing it against lower table 30. The action of rocker arm 24 is controlled by a solenoid schematically shown at 32. The solenoid causes rocker arm 24 to periodically oscillate or rock back and forth so that idler roller 22 and brake pad 28 are alternatively brought into contact with the upper surface of print strip 10. As will be apparent, when idler roller 22 is in contact with print strip 10, as illustrated in FIGfl, the print strip will be firmly gripped between rollers 18 and 22 and will be propelled from left to right toward the cutter 16. When brake pad 28 is depressed into contact with print strip 10, idler roller 22 will simultaneously release print strip 10 from the feeding action of roller 18, and print strip 10 will then be firmly held against movement, as is necessary during the cutting or punching operation.

The timing of the action of solenoid 32 is controlled in part by cut sensor 14, which may conventionally be photosensitive to detect the passage of a punched hole or ink mark along the' side of print strip 10 indicating the border between adjacent prints. The specific nature of sensor 14 and the associated timing circuit by which solenoid 32 is actuated as well as the actuation of the power source for the cutter is conventional and does not form a part of this invention.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 3, the cutter 16 comprises a base 34 adapted to be secured to the-associated feed and sensing mechanisms of the entire cutter assembly. Base 34 is preferably dimensioned so as be interchangeable with existing cutter units to permit their conversion from conventional bordered style print cutting to borderless style print cutting. A heavy shaft-like element 36 is rotatably mounted in base 34 and carries a punch unit 38 which is seated in recess 40 and secured by screws 42. Punch 38 cooperates with a lower die consisting of a front die element 44 and a rear die element 46 which are adjustably positioned and retained within base 34 by screws 48 and 50, respectively. Together die elements 44 and 46 define a punchreceiving cavity 52.

As shown in FIG. 3, a side guide 54 is secured to base 34 by screw 56, and functions to assure proper lateral positioning of print strip I as it enters the cutting or punching area. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a transparent top guide 58, also secured to base 34 by screw 56, cooperates with die element 44 and side guide 54 to carefully channel print strip it) into the punching zone. A thin piece of springy sheet metal 60 is secured to base 34 by screw 62, and is shaped and dimensioned to be normally biased upwardly into contact with the underside of top guide 58, for a purpose to be described below.

As shown in FIGS. 1-3, a crank arm 64 is secured to shaft 36 for oscillation therewith, under the impetus of reciprocating link 66. Link 66, which may be an existing element of a cutter unit to which the present adapter is to be applied, is operatively connected to a power driven cam or equivalent structure (unillustrated) which causes it to reciprocate in proper sequence to cause a cutting or punching stroke when the print strip has been properly positioned and braked.

FIG. 4 illustrates on an-enlarged scale print strip 10, showing the spaced cut-signal holes 68 aligned with the demarcation line 70 illustrated in phantom and representing the meeting line of two adjacent prints. Adjacent the righthand portion of strip 10 there is illustrated a typical piece of chaff 72 which is punched out by punch 38 and dies 44 and 46 during the severing of cut print 74 from the strip. The chaff 72 may typically be about 3/32nds of an inch wide and will remove the demarcation line 76 between adjacent prints and will also contain cut-signal hole 68.

Though not illustrated, an end of order signal hole would typically be placed on the opposite side of strip 10 from cut-signal hole 68, and would also be removed as part of chaff 72. p

As is evident from FIG. 4, chaff 72 is shaped like a Roman I, with the serifs thereof representing the corners removed from print strip 10 as required to leave the finished print 74 with the desired rounded corners.

From FIGS. 2 and it will be evident that the leading or lower edge of punch 38 is preferably tapered slightly from both ends toward the center, so that the lowermost center point makes initial contact with the print strip and so that the punching action progresses simultaneously from the center toward both lateral edges of pring strip 10. In this manner, the punching action is somewhat slicing in nature, resulting in a smoother edge. It has also been observed that this shape seems to assist in assuring that the chaff '72 will fall out through the bottom of punch-receiving cavity 52 rather than remaining up in the punching areas where it would eventually jam the operation.

In operation, the feed mechanism 12 and cut sensor 14 cooperate to properly locate and secure print strip within cutter I6 ready for punching. When that has been achieved, the unillustrated drive motor will cause link 66 to reciprocate, which in turn causes shaft 36 to pivot to produce the downward arcua te punching stroke of punch 38.

Sheet metal plate aids in maintaining print strip 10 in flat condition as it enters the punching area. It has been observed that wax from hand applied make-over notations on various prints that have to be redone tends to accumulate as a result of scraping action on the underface of top guide 58. To prevent jam up from this accumulation, slight raising of the top guide tended to permit film strip to curl down and hit the front edge of rear die 46. It has been found that the use of the springy plate 60 eliminates this problem, by yielding downwardly as wax accumulates, while maintaining firm control and flatness of the print strip.

Thus, the above described conversion unit achieves the desired objective, in that it permits a high speed cutting system to be converted from bordered style prints to borderless style prints, without the necessity for any changes in the drive linkage which actuates the cutter or any changes in the control circuitry. As distinguished from the previously used guillotine type punches, the present arcuate path punching system is dimensionally compatible with existing equipment, and develops sufficient punching power so that no increase in actuating motor power is needed- Furthermore, there is no need for the actuating linkage geometry to be changed.

The smaller size of the present unit means less loading on the motor, easier, faster and less expensive installation, and a more direct action on the puncher without the need for additional linkage connections between the reciprocating link and the punch element.

Furthermore, the shallow V-shape of the leading edge of punch unit and the springy sheet metal plate both cooperate to produce a better and more trouble free operation and an improved finished product.

This invention may be further developed within the scope of the following claims. Accordingly, the above specification is to be interpreted as illustrative of only a single operative embodiment of this invention, rather than in a strictly limited sense.

I now claim:

1. For use in a high speed cutting system for severing individual photographic prints from a continuous strip of such prints, of the type including feed means for providing an intermittent feed of the roll to the cutting unit and cutter drive means including a reciprocating member for actuating the cutter blade in response to a signal from the control circuit that the print roll is stationary and in proper cutting position under the blade, an improved cutter unit capable of use as a conversion unit to convert the system from conventional bordered style prints to borderless style prints, comprising:

a base adapted to be secured to the cutting system at the cutting station;

a punch pivotally mounted on said base and oriented so that its pivot axis lies parallel to the plane of the print strip and transverse to the direction of feed of the strip through the cutting system;

said punch being dimensioned in shape to remove from the print strip a narrow elongated transverse chaff strip running the full width of the print strip and shaped generally like a Roman I, with the serifs thereof being slightly rounded, so that the punching out of such chaff strip from the print strip severs two adjacent prints from each other and leaves the corners of the prints rounded;

a guide means mounted on said base and positioned on the opposite side of the print path from said die and immediately upstream therefrom, said guide means functioning to maintain the print strip of a substantially flat condition in a predetermined path as it enters the punch-die zone;

and a biasing means carried by said base and position to bias the print strip against said guide means.

3. The cutter unit of claim 1 wherein the leading edge of said punch is non-parallel to its line of intersection with the print strip, so that it punches progressively across the transverse width of the print strip.

4. The cutter unit of claim 1 wherein the leading edge of said punch is shaped as a shallow V when viewed along the direction of print strip feed, so that its punching action is progressively outward from the center of the print strip toward the two lateral edges thereof. 

1. For use in a high speed cutting system for severing individual photographic prints from a continuous strip of such prints, of the type including feed means for providing an intermittent feed of the roll to the cutting unit and cutter drive means including a reciprocating member for actuating the cutter blade in response to a signal from the control circuit that the print roll is stationary and in proper cutting position under the blade, an improved cutter unit capable of use as a conversion unit to convert the system from conventional bordered style prints to borderless style prints, comprising: a base adapted to be secured to the cutting system at the cutting station; a punch pivotally mounted on said base and oriented so that its pivot axis lies parallel to the plane of the print strip and transverse to the direction of feed of the strip through the cutting system; said punch being dimensioned in shape to remove from the print strip a narrow elongated transverse chaff strip running the full width of the print strip and shaped generally like a Roman ''''I,'''' with the serifs thereof being slightly rounded, so that the punching out of such chaff strip from the print strip severs two adjacent prints from each other and leaves the corners of the prints rounded; said punch being adapted to be eccentrically connected to the reciprocating member to cause said punch to stroke along an arcuate path in response to movement of the reciprocating member; and a die mounted on said base and having a cavity shaped and dimensioned to receive such punch, and positioned on the opposite side of the print strip path from said punch, whereby said punch and die cooperate to punch out a chaff strip from the print strip upon actuation by the cutter drive means.
 2. The cutter unit of claim 1 which further comprises: a guide means mounted on said base and positioned on the opposite side of the print path from said die and immediately upstream therefrom, said guide means functioning to maintain the print strip of a substantially flat condition in a predetermined path as it enters the punch-die zone; and a biasing means carried by said base and position to bias the print strip against said guide means.
 3. The cutter unit of claim 1 wherein the leading edge of said punch is non-parallel to its line of intersection with the print strip, so that it punches progresSively across the transverse width of the print strip.
 4. The cutter unit of claim 1 wherein the leading edge of said punch is shaped as a shallow ''''V'''' when viewed along the direction of print strip feed, so that its punching action is progressively outward from the center of the print strip toward the two lateral edges thereof. 